This column is the tenth in a series devoted to promoting cultural tourism in coastal Georgia. It was published in the Tribune & Georgian newspaper in Kingsland, GA, scheduled for publication on Nov. 2, 2005.
It is beginning to look as if there is a common theme here in Camden County. Within reports from economists, tourism authorities and researchers from Georgia Tech are confirmations of the economic value of developing tourism in Georgia communities. The evidence is overwhelming that, in this era of mobility and information, interest in historically based entertainment and culturally interesting events is growing. Those reports also indicated that such opportunities are profitable for communities that make the sufficient personal and institutional commitment to create them.
In a previous column, I made the point that, beyond the economic and global reasons for a community to support an event such as Crooked Rivers, there are also other, more personal reasons, to do so. I wrote about some of the interesting things that happen when people commit to a project such as Crooked Rivers’: Sisters Three. One point I made was that in an endeavor like this one, you make new acquaintances and unlikely friends. Recently, that truth was made clear to me in a unique manner.
Last Saturday, I had the privilege of attending the Eagle Scout ceremony for Michael Merrill. I met Mike in the spring of 2005 while he was working on the high school production of “The King and I.” Actually, I got to know Mike while he showed me how to tie knots so that the rope ladder on the set looked realistic. As we sat on the floor manipulating rope and twine, Mike shared some neat things about his life: his scouting, his travels, his love of family and his fondness for my wife’s speech class. One thing I forgot to mention – Mike is also a rather large guy and an offensive tackle on Camden County’s championship football team. This giant young man is a great student and someone I admire. As he stood in a shelter at Crooked Rivers State Park, simply and lovingly thanking his family, neighbors, teachers and friends for their support of his accomplishments, I realized that Mike was living proof of my contention that commitment to positive community projects offers us all a chance to discover new facets, new people and new value in our lives. Right there, on the banks of Crooked River, Mike and I both found new stories.
According to the lyrics to a popular anthem from the Frank Wildhorn musical “Jekyll and Hyde,” “This is the moment, this is the time.” This is the time for us to take important steps to make our local opus a reality. It’s time for us to satisfy our curiosity about Crooked Rivers’: Sisters Three. What is Crooked Rivers about? How will this project work? If I get involved, what will I have to do or what will I get to do? And, just as important, if I decide not to be in Crooked Rivers, how can I support those that will make up the cast and supporting crew? What story can I find in the Crooked Rivers saga?
The answers to these questions and many more can be found by visiting Director Jerry Stropnicky and Crooked Rivers volunteers during their “participation gatherings” at Lisa Allen’s Dance Works studio on Saturday, Nov. 5 from 2 to 5 p.m. and 7 to 9 p.m. and again on Sunday, November 6 from 2 to 5 p.m. Dance Works is located at 10880 Colerain Road in St. Marys. Jerry says that he wants to see people of all shapes, sizes, shades and ages. He wants to talk to anyone that wants to read, act, sing, dance, build sets, help with costumes, install lighting or be a stagehand. Most of all, Jerry says he needs people that want to learn about life and history along the Crooked Rivers, where around every bend is a story.
Sunday, October 30, 2005
Saturday, October 22, 2005
Crooked Rivers Can Help Us Catch The I-95 Flow of Tourists
This column is the ninth in a series devoted to promoting cultural tourism in coastal Georgia. It appeared in the Tribune & Georgian newspaper in Kingsland, GA on October 26, 2005.
For those dear readers that have taken the time to consider our almost weekly musings and to those that have sent positive messages, I extend my thanks. You can all take some comfort in this: it turns out that I am not a lonely voice crying in the wilderness. Not only have we been insightful in our point of view, but also we are now confirmed as accurate. To cite one master player whose irreverence always makes me smile: “It’s good to be the King.” (Although I am confident that a certain lass will soon tell me that while I may think I am, I certainly am NOT the King!)
Last week, in a presentation to local residents, researchers from Georgia Tech offered more proof that cultural tourism is a viable and important part of our community’s continuing economic diversification. According to Ed Lindsey of Economic Development and Technology Ventures, based on research conducted by Georgia Tech during the past year, we ought to be looking “in our own backyard” to create reasons for some of the 105 million residents that live along the I-95 corridor from Maine to Florida to visit, spend time and money in our communities. “There is more positive stuff [in Camden] than I’ve seen in a long time,” Lindsey said. “There’s a lot of promise; you just need to figure out how to knock down some manmade barriers.” Think about that: more than one-third of the U.S. population lives directly north and south of us. Do the math. If, in one year, just one percent of those people traveled through Camden County and spent an average of $100 for a night’s visit and some activities, that would mean more than $100 million in additional revenue for local businesses and nearly seven million dollars in local sales tax revenue alone for local governments. Now that would fix a lot of potholes, pave some roads, provide needed services for families and maybe even get us some extra mosquito sprayers! (That last bit is just a little humor, my friends in public service!)
Mr. Lindsey called I-95 a spigot. He challenged us to find ways to “stick out our cup and catch our share.” His point is that we have the tourists; we just need to cultivate them and give them a reason to arrive in greater quantities and to stay longer. Of most interest here was his notation that, when asked, tourists made specific references to things they liked to see and do in their travels. Now I know you probably have my earliest columns right at your fingertips for reference purposes, but just in case you don’t, let me paraphrase something we said here eight weeks ago that was just re-confirmed by Georgia Tech’s survey results: today’s tourists are older and have more money; they like to visit sites, events and activities that are interesting, historical and culturally unique; they like THEATRE, art galleries and museums. That’s right – THEATRE. Like what we have been talking about with Crooked Rivers’ Sisters Three: energetic actors and singers, emotional and historically interesting stories that connect with audiences, catchy and meaningful music, and good looking sets, costumes and lights. Just like what tourists surveyed by Georgia Tech said they missed in Camden County during their travels and stays here.
I guess I won’t beat that drum any more this week. I can feel us all saying, “OK, we get it.” So, what can we do to deconstruct some of these “manmade barriers?” One thing is to come find out more about Crooked Rivers’ Sisters Three. Director Jerry Stropnicky and Crooked Rivers volunteers will be hosting “participation gatherings” at Lisa Allen’s Dance Works studio on Saturday, Nov. 5 from 2 to 5 p.m. and 7 to 9 p.m. and again on Sunday, November 6 from 2 to 5 p.m. Dance Works is located at 10880 Colerain Road in St. Marys. Jerry says that he wants to see people of all shapes, sizes, shades and ages. He wants to talk to anyone that wants to read, act, sing, dance, build sets, help with costumes, install lighting or be a stagehand. Most of all, Jerry says he needs people that want to tell about the life and history along the Crooked Rivers, where around every bend is a story.
For those dear readers that have taken the time to consider our almost weekly musings and to those that have sent positive messages, I extend my thanks. You can all take some comfort in this: it turns out that I am not a lonely voice crying in the wilderness. Not only have we been insightful in our point of view, but also we are now confirmed as accurate. To cite one master player whose irreverence always makes me smile: “It’s good to be the King.” (Although I am confident that a certain lass will soon tell me that while I may think I am, I certainly am NOT the King!)
Last week, in a presentation to local residents, researchers from Georgia Tech offered more proof that cultural tourism is a viable and important part of our community’s continuing economic diversification. According to Ed Lindsey of Economic Development and Technology Ventures, based on research conducted by Georgia Tech during the past year, we ought to be looking “in our own backyard” to create reasons for some of the 105 million residents that live along the I-95 corridor from Maine to Florida to visit, spend time and money in our communities. “There is more positive stuff [in Camden] than I’ve seen in a long time,” Lindsey said. “There’s a lot of promise; you just need to figure out how to knock down some manmade barriers.” Think about that: more than one-third of the U.S. population lives directly north and south of us. Do the math. If, in one year, just one percent of those people traveled through Camden County and spent an average of $100 for a night’s visit and some activities, that would mean more than $100 million in additional revenue for local businesses and nearly seven million dollars in local sales tax revenue alone for local governments. Now that would fix a lot of potholes, pave some roads, provide needed services for families and maybe even get us some extra mosquito sprayers! (That last bit is just a little humor, my friends in public service!)
Mr. Lindsey called I-95 a spigot. He challenged us to find ways to “stick out our cup and catch our share.” His point is that we have the tourists; we just need to cultivate them and give them a reason to arrive in greater quantities and to stay longer. Of most interest here was his notation that, when asked, tourists made specific references to things they liked to see and do in their travels. Now I know you probably have my earliest columns right at your fingertips for reference purposes, but just in case you don’t, let me paraphrase something we said here eight weeks ago that was just re-confirmed by Georgia Tech’s survey results: today’s tourists are older and have more money; they like to visit sites, events and activities that are interesting, historical and culturally unique; they like THEATRE, art galleries and museums. That’s right – THEATRE. Like what we have been talking about with Crooked Rivers’ Sisters Three: energetic actors and singers, emotional and historically interesting stories that connect with audiences, catchy and meaningful music, and good looking sets, costumes and lights. Just like what tourists surveyed by Georgia Tech said they missed in Camden County during their travels and stays here.
I guess I won’t beat that drum any more this week. I can feel us all saying, “OK, we get it.” So, what can we do to deconstruct some of these “manmade barriers?” One thing is to come find out more about Crooked Rivers’ Sisters Three. Director Jerry Stropnicky and Crooked Rivers volunteers will be hosting “participation gatherings” at Lisa Allen’s Dance Works studio on Saturday, Nov. 5 from 2 to 5 p.m. and 7 to 9 p.m. and again on Sunday, November 6 from 2 to 5 p.m. Dance Works is located at 10880 Colerain Road in St. Marys. Jerry says that he wants to see people of all shapes, sizes, shades and ages. He wants to talk to anyone that wants to read, act, sing, dance, build sets, help with costumes, install lighting or be a stagehand. Most of all, Jerry says he needs people that want to tell about the life and history along the Crooked Rivers, where around every bend is a story.
Tuesday, October 11, 2005
What to Expect When You Are Part of Crooked Rivers' Sisters Three
This column is the eighth in a series devoted to promoting cultural tourism in coastal Georgia. It was published in the Tribune & Georgian newspaper in Kingsland, GA, appearing on October 21, 2005.
For a few weeks it has been my pleasure to offer you some ideas about cultural tourism, its importance in today’s economic picture, and what might be possible in our community. One of the points I made previously was that involvement in and commitment to such a production has benefits beyond economic ones. It has by-products that are highly personal and highly rewarding, mostly related to ways that involvement in community and commitment to a project that is vital and worthwhile yields good memories, positive relationships and long-term personal growth.
While writing, I considered if readers might wonder why they should be involved with Crooked Rivers’ Sisters Three; why should they come to a “gathering” and volunteer to be in this production. I also know that some people want to know what it will be like; exactly what will happen, what to expect when you get involved in a musical production, especially one that will be performed for the first time in its entirety. So this week, I want to share a little about what this might be like and what you can expect to give to and gain from such an experience. (I base these observations on more than 20 years of being part of a community theatre production team and on my own personal experiences of being part of such productions.)
One important thing you will gain from being a part of the Crooked Rivers’ Sisters Three production cast is a sense of family that is found no where else. You will be greeted as a friend, a family member and an appreciated link in a close-knit group. There will be highs and lows, accomplishments and frustrations. Some things will be difficult to learn, others will be sheer joy. You will leave each meeting or rehearsal sharing funny stories, revealing your soul to a new friend and singing snippets of songs that you simply cannot get out of your head. And when other friends, who are not in the cast, ask you about the experience, you will say: “Well, it’s like…it’s sort of a…well, you just have to be there to understand it!”
Another part of the experience of being in a production of this nature is that you learn things about yourself, as well as others. You often find new friends that you might not have met otherwise. You sometimes get tested and challenged to do things you haven’t done before or done in a long time. There are emotional and silly moments. There are compromises made and new principles established. As the production dates approach, you will find it difficult to concentrate on work and play; all of it pales in comparison to this new, intoxicating affair.
Finally, good things happen to people that do this stuff. Families that share the experience grow so much closer; neighbors and friends who collaborate gain new trust in and respect for each other. Children that are involved in such efforts show improvement in their reading, conversation and confidence. They benefit from their close proximity with adults that support and appreciate them and that are not their parents. Parents gain a new appreciation of their kids and share a great pride in their accomplishments, performance and improved behavior.
On a personal note, recently I had the opportunity to witness some of these experiences on a very personal level. When you fly long distances, get slightly sleep deprived and then see your own child perform in the national touring company of Les Misérables, it is a raw emotional phenomenon. I harkened to his first show when he stubbed his toe making an entrance in South Pacific, remembered him as a 10-year-old playing a dead body in Arsenic and Old Lace and his improvisation in Annie Warbucks that had me (as FDR) buffaloed when I went to shake his hand.
Through tears and pride, I wanted more people to share this experience. In Crooked Rivers, where there is a story around every bend, it can happen for you.
For a few weeks it has been my pleasure to offer you some ideas about cultural tourism, its importance in today’s economic picture, and what might be possible in our community. One of the points I made previously was that involvement in and commitment to such a production has benefits beyond economic ones. It has by-products that are highly personal and highly rewarding, mostly related to ways that involvement in community and commitment to a project that is vital and worthwhile yields good memories, positive relationships and long-term personal growth.
While writing, I considered if readers might wonder why they should be involved with Crooked Rivers’ Sisters Three; why should they come to a “gathering” and volunteer to be in this production. I also know that some people want to know what it will be like; exactly what will happen, what to expect when you get involved in a musical production, especially one that will be performed for the first time in its entirety. So this week, I want to share a little about what this might be like and what you can expect to give to and gain from such an experience. (I base these observations on more than 20 years of being part of a community theatre production team and on my own personal experiences of being part of such productions.)
One important thing you will gain from being a part of the Crooked Rivers’ Sisters Three production cast is a sense of family that is found no where else. You will be greeted as a friend, a family member and an appreciated link in a close-knit group. There will be highs and lows, accomplishments and frustrations. Some things will be difficult to learn, others will be sheer joy. You will leave each meeting or rehearsal sharing funny stories, revealing your soul to a new friend and singing snippets of songs that you simply cannot get out of your head. And when other friends, who are not in the cast, ask you about the experience, you will say: “Well, it’s like…it’s sort of a…well, you just have to be there to understand it!”
Another part of the experience of being in a production of this nature is that you learn things about yourself, as well as others. You often find new friends that you might not have met otherwise. You sometimes get tested and challenged to do things you haven’t done before or done in a long time. There are emotional and silly moments. There are compromises made and new principles established. As the production dates approach, you will find it difficult to concentrate on work and play; all of it pales in comparison to this new, intoxicating affair.
Finally, good things happen to people that do this stuff. Families that share the experience grow so much closer; neighbors and friends who collaborate gain new trust in and respect for each other. Children that are involved in such efforts show improvement in their reading, conversation and confidence. They benefit from their close proximity with adults that support and appreciate them and that are not their parents. Parents gain a new appreciation of their kids and share a great pride in their accomplishments, performance and improved behavior.
On a personal note, recently I had the opportunity to witness some of these experiences on a very personal level. When you fly long distances, get slightly sleep deprived and then see your own child perform in the national touring company of Les Misérables, it is a raw emotional phenomenon. I harkened to his first show when he stubbed his toe making an entrance in South Pacific, remembered him as a 10-year-old playing a dead body in Arsenic and Old Lace and his improvisation in Annie Warbucks that had me (as FDR) buffaloed when I went to shake his hand.
Through tears and pride, I wanted more people to share this experience. In Crooked Rivers, where there is a story around every bend, it can happen for you.
It's Time to Give Crooked Rivers' Sisters Three Your Support
This column is the seventh in a series devoted to promoting cultural tourism in coastal Georgia. It was published in the Tribune & Georgian newspaper in Kingsland, GA, appearing on Wednesday (October 5, 2005).
During the past six weeks, our goal has been to explore how more and more locales are combining their historical legacy and memorable heritage into an informative and entertaining experience that community and tourist audiences want to share. When you look around the country at places where this is happening, there are common elements that seem to be at play.
First, persons that are aware of the importance of historical preservation, and how it can be done to maximize its impact, get involved and support this type of effort. In Camden County, these persons have been local historians, community leaders, and arts partisans that see a theatrical event like Crooked Rivers’ Sisters Three as a way to clarify and amplify historical intrigue, fact, and lore, while providing the basis for an entertaining event that gathers audiences and gains a reputation as a significant and worthwhile addition to the other attractions that bring visitors to coastal Georgia.
Second, persons that desire to see cultural tourism events come to fruition find ways to incorporate the event(s) into community infrastructure and tradition. In Camden County, the city of Woodbine, under the leadership of Mayor Buford Clark and City Manager Sandy Rayson, has defined a clear path that makes Crooked Rivers’ Sisters Three a part of its redevelopment plans. Their willingness to have the fledgling Crooked Rivers project perform segments of the show at their renowned Crawfish Festival in 2003 and 2004 was a significant beginning. Imagine how wonderful it will be in a few years to be able to stroll that balmy riverfront walkway in an early spring evening and then rise to the garden walk that wends its way into downtown Woodbine, arriving at a quaint and appealing theatre located right on the main thoroughfare in town, where county residents present you with a feast of music, humor, history and storytelling that leaves you wanting to know more, and ready to share it with others. Maybe you will even drop a bill or two into their coffers when you leave, in appreciation for what Crooked Rivers’ Sisters Three gave you and for what it offers to residents and visitors.
Third, the creation process for cultural tourism events is difficult, and takes time, money and more work than one can describe. Until there is a product, only visionaries and dreamers invest. That time is almost up for Crooked River’s Sisters Three. In the next few weeks, you will be hearing lots of information about Crooked Rivers’ Sisters Three “gatherings” in your community. These will be calls for interested members to come and hear about the ideas of the visionaries and the dreamers. They will be offering you a chance to bring your kids, your significant other(s) and your parents and climb aboard the Crooked Rivers bandwagon as actors, singers, storytellers, stagehands, performance workers, or for other important purposes.
In the next several months, you will begin to see folks and signs around that will ask for your financial assistance and support to make this project a reality. They won’t ask for much, but they will ask. You should say yes and do what you can. Because this effort deserves our grassroots local support, if for no other reason than it will help us become stronger and healthier as a community, not to mention the possible economic gains it can bring for us all. Pick either reason, or both – they are good enough reasons to say yes.
During the past six weeks, our goal has been to explore how more and more locales are combining their historical legacy and memorable heritage into an informative and entertaining experience that community and tourist audiences want to share. When you look around the country at places where this is happening, there are common elements that seem to be at play.
First, persons that are aware of the importance of historical preservation, and how it can be done to maximize its impact, get involved and support this type of effort. In Camden County, these persons have been local historians, community leaders, and arts partisans that see a theatrical event like Crooked Rivers’ Sisters Three as a way to clarify and amplify historical intrigue, fact, and lore, while providing the basis for an entertaining event that gathers audiences and gains a reputation as a significant and worthwhile addition to the other attractions that bring visitors to coastal Georgia.
Second, persons that desire to see cultural tourism events come to fruition find ways to incorporate the event(s) into community infrastructure and tradition. In Camden County, the city of Woodbine, under the leadership of Mayor Buford Clark and City Manager Sandy Rayson, has defined a clear path that makes Crooked Rivers’ Sisters Three a part of its redevelopment plans. Their willingness to have the fledgling Crooked Rivers project perform segments of the show at their renowned Crawfish Festival in 2003 and 2004 was a significant beginning. Imagine how wonderful it will be in a few years to be able to stroll that balmy riverfront walkway in an early spring evening and then rise to the garden walk that wends its way into downtown Woodbine, arriving at a quaint and appealing theatre located right on the main thoroughfare in town, where county residents present you with a feast of music, humor, history and storytelling that leaves you wanting to know more, and ready to share it with others. Maybe you will even drop a bill or two into their coffers when you leave, in appreciation for what Crooked Rivers’ Sisters Three gave you and for what it offers to residents and visitors.
Third, the creation process for cultural tourism events is difficult, and takes time, money and more work than one can describe. Until there is a product, only visionaries and dreamers invest. That time is almost up for Crooked River’s Sisters Three. In the next few weeks, you will be hearing lots of information about Crooked Rivers’ Sisters Three “gatherings” in your community. These will be calls for interested members to come and hear about the ideas of the visionaries and the dreamers. They will be offering you a chance to bring your kids, your significant other(s) and your parents and climb aboard the Crooked Rivers bandwagon as actors, singers, storytellers, stagehands, performance workers, or for other important purposes.
In the next several months, you will begin to see folks and signs around that will ask for your financial assistance and support to make this project a reality. They won’t ask for much, but they will ask. You should say yes and do what you can. Because this effort deserves our grassroots local support, if for no other reason than it will help us become stronger and healthier as a community, not to mention the possible economic gains it can bring for us all. Pick either reason, or both – they are good enough reasons to say yes.
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